Authorities Warn About Movie Money Passed As Real Cash

December 28, 2016

Local authorities are warning businesses and individuals to be on the lookout for phony movie prop bills being passed off as real money. Police say the “funny money” is no laughing matter.

The Flomaton Police Department has received two reports of movie prop $100 bills being passed to local merchants in recent days. At first glance, the fake $100 bills look almost exactly like real money — that’s why they are used in movies and TV shows.

However, the fake bills have the words “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” clearly printed on the bill along with the statement “This note is not legal. It is to be used for motion pictures”. The security ribbon is fake, and picture of Ben Franklin is slightly different.

Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said his department has tracked down the woman that passed one of the bills. She told police she had no idea that she had spent a fake $100 — she said she received the bill when she cashed in a winning scratch off lottery ticket in Florida.

The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office has received three reports of the fake movie money. Two reports came back during the summer, while the most recent was in November, according to Major Andrew Hobbs.

Additional reports of the fake movie bills have been received in the area from Bay Minette and Atmore.

Authorities say the fake cash — which can be in any denomination — does not feel like real currency. It does not pass a currency pen test designed to detect counterfeit bills. The fake bills are legal to purchase and posses, but it is a felony offense to use the bills in any financial transaction.

Anyone that suspects a fake bill is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Pictured: A motion picture use only $100 bill that was passed in Flomaton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Authorities Warn About Movie Money Passed As Real Cash”

  1. paul on December 31st, 2016 9:14 am

    An easy fix. Make the movie company also print the name of their movie on them. If they get into circulation they’re responsible for them. The banks can just charge them a healthy fee and the problem would be over with. ;)

  2. Anne on December 29th, 2016 12:20 am

    Y’all this isn’t rocket surgery.

    If you get a $ 100 bill — just look at the dang thing to make sure it appears to be legit.
    Should you see something that looks out of place refuse to take it or call your manager at the store.

    Movie money has to look kinda sorta like real currency or it’d look stupid in the movie to have purple bills.

  3. mike on December 28th, 2016 11:48 am

    B.F looks like he’s in a bad mood on that bill: “Did you set your clocks back? I don’t think you did!” :)

  4. Elmo on December 28th, 2016 3:08 am

    What do you expect people to do when they’re passed a bill that was legally printed by the authority of our electors? I am getting older myself and so is my eye sight! I have had problems with separating new $100 from each other! Why didn’t they make the movie money yellow, red, blue, orange, purple….. This is so wrong!!